Buzz Aldrin has been evacuated from the South Pole for medical reasons and taken to New Zealand for treatment.
Aldrich reportedly was in stable condition after a successful evacuation to Christchurch, New Zealand, tour company the White Desert said in a statement on the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators website.
"He currently has fluid in his lungs but is responding well to antibiotics and being kept overnight for observation. His condition is stable and his manager, who is currently with him, described him being in good spirits," the statement said.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) said Thursday that a New York Air National Guard plane was to transport the famed astronaut from Antartica to New Zealand “as soon as possible,” Time noted.
The Antarctic Company made an emergency request for an “ailing visitor” before Aldrin was taken from the South Pole to McMurdo research station in Antarctica.
According to the USA Today, Aldrin was visiting the South Pole with a group of other tourists when “his condition deteriorated.”
"A White Desert client, Buzz Aldrin, has been evacuated from South Pole," White Desert said on the IAATO website. "Mr Aldrin was visiting the Pole as part of a tourist group and while there his condition deteriorated. As a precaution, following discussion between the White Desert doctor and the US Antarctic Program (USAP) doctor, Mr Aldrin, accompanied by a member of his team, was evacuated on the first available flight out of the South Pole to McMurdo with the USAP under the care of a USAP doctor. His condition was described as stable upon White Desert doctor's hand-over to the USAP medial team."
The 86-year-old was the second man to walk on the moon with the 1969 Apollo 11 crew, which included Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins.
Before leaving for the trip, Aldrin tweeted about the journey.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.